culinary cabaret!

buca

2013-02-18T12:57:00.003-08:00

finally, after a few months of waiting, i finally made it to buca. and it was amazing.
AF, AR and i made our way down to king west last saturday for an early reservation (the only time we could get), but ended up staying the evening. buca's atmosphere is perfect: cozy and cool at the same time. buca, meaning "basement" or "hole", is just that, an exposed brick, high-ceilinged basement in an old king street building. with an entrance wedged between two buildings down an alleyway, it is a little difficult to find, but is a must-try on the toronto restaurant scene these days.

we were greeted warmly and shown promptly to our table by the wonderful host. our waiter was very knowledgeable and the manager came by to chat frequently. none of the coldness i had read about in other reviews since they don't have an online menu, we were eager to see what we were in store for!

buca is a definite recommendation, but it is pricy, so save up!

menu for the day

i must mention, they have an extraordinary wine list. my favourite, a white pinot noir! it wasn't on the menu, but if you ask for it, you won't regret it.

apps:

we had heard lots about the nodini, and they were delicious.
little bread knots covered in olive oil, garlic, rosemary and salt.

amazing charcuterie. we ordered (from L to R):
ricotta di buffala, sovrano bufala reggiano and prosciuttini
we couldn't get enough.

a definite favourite, the parmagiana di melanzane
(preserved tomato and eggplant layered with
bufala ricotta and burrata cheese)

at this point, the manager sent over orecchio di maiale (crisp pig's ears) with fennel salt, on the house. but i didn't manage to get a photo.

mains:

AF and AR were both tempted by the bigoli:
hand-cranked duck egg pasta with duck leg, offal ragu,
venetian spices, marscapone and basil

i ordered the orecchiette di grano arso:
fresh hand-rolled pasta with burnt durum semolina and finished with
preserved tomatoes and cacio di fossa cheese

we were beyond full, but.....
dessert:

temptation at it's finest, we shared the tiramisu di buca:
espresso-soaked house made tapioca biscuits
layered with mascarpone and chocolate mousse

a little something extra...

who doesn't love a complimentary treat?

thanks for the end-of-evening champagne, another special treat.

thanks to the amazing staff, wonderful new manager and exec chef rob gentile. we had great eats and lots and lots of laughs.

definitely add buca to your 'must-try list'. hope to head back with RK soon!

lady of brunch

2013-01-11T16:27:00.000-08:00

during the last few days of our two-week vacation, NA (of 'where the locals go') and i finally carved out some time to hit up the queen east hotspot, lady marmalade.
although it was a dreary january day, the air was light and cheery inside the bustling restaurant.
lady marmalade, while itty bitty in size, offers a wide range of unique dishes, catering to the ever-changing leslieville crowd. from hipsters and hippies to families and yuppies, lady marmalade had everybody smiling (once they were seated).
tip: be sure to get there about an hour before you want to eat. this place is busy everyday of the week. even on a thursday morning, we waited close to an hour.
enjoy.
recommendation? yes.

warm coffee on a snowy day

we both ordered the eggs benny..

it was a tough call between the good morning poutine, but in the end,
NA ordered the “cochinita pibil” yucatecan pulled pork & citrus marinated red onions

i ordered the roasted vegetables & aged white cheddar
i could have done without the (overdressed) salad

what's brunch without a side of bacon

until next time!

rosedale diner rendez-vous

2013-01-04T10:30:00.001-08:00

for months now, a friend and her (new) husband have been planning to attend a blog-worthy double date. after much restaurant and menu deliberation, we finally selected the rosedale diner for their bohemian style and eclectic menu items.
we made an 8pm reservation and the restaurant was packed. it's a tight little spot, so be prepared to get cozy to the people at neighbouring tables. this family-run restaurant has graced many "best of" lists, and has certainly secured a spot with us!
see below.

appetizers:

Melted Brie a la Shum | w/ garlic & za'atar, served w/ apple fans & pita points

Duck Liver pâté | port, crispy leeks, schmaltz, blueberry balsamic reduction

The Caesar | parmesan & herbed croutons, our famous dressing

mains:

delicious (and very rich) poutine au canard:
off the bone duck confit & quebecois cheese curds, frites, demi-glaze gravy

steak frites: aged sirloin, brushed garlic and a bourbon compound butter with sauteed market vegetables

King Cole Duck Confit | in a cassis veal jus w/ sautéed market vegetables & herb-roasted potatoes

desserts:

flourless chocolate tort

raspberry chocolate tartufo

thanks to TS, SS and RK for a great night out! our meals were pricey, but the food was delicious! check out their winterlicious menu coming soon.
can't wait to do it again!

cheap and cheerful!

2013-01-01T17:35:00.001-08:00

first off: happy new year!
resolution 1: post more!!

a few weeks back, we had a wonderful and delicious group dinner at famoso! annually, the gals and i have our traditional chrismukkah dinner hosted at someone's home. this year, we decided to make it easy: we switched it up and decided to dine out.
we arrived at famoso on bloor and were seated almost immediately for our 8pm reservation.
famoso has an interesting system where you peruse the menu at your leisure, write down your order, and walk it up to the counter. everything else was business as usual. known for their neopolitain-style pizza, i was doubtful it would be as delicious as pizza libretto, but was happily suprised!

overall:
the food was delicious. drinks were flowing. wait staff were more than accommodating. the whole group was happy. prices were good and the atmosphere was cheerful. a win-win!

check out the pics!

drinks were flowing.

standard caprese salad

caeser salad

prosciutto wrapped mozzarella balls

piazetta and fire-roasted tomato bique

margherita

pepperoni and roasted mushrooms

primavera piazetta and caprese

siciliana

leftovers!!

we had a great time! i would recommend for groups, a quick and easy bite, and people with kids in tow.

hint:place your order only once you are ready to eat. these neopolitan pizzas are ready in 90 seconds.

music and a meal

2012-12-09T17:16:00.000-08:00

over a month ago (that's embarrassing and highlights my tardiness), AF and i had a much-anticipated after-work date. we were so excited and had been planning it for quite some time.
we met on the danforth around 6pm, as we were seeing joshua radin's concert at the beautiful danforth music hall later on. we headed straight to the highly acclaimed allen's, a staple for anyone who lives remotely close to the danforth. it did not disappoint, see below.

INFAMOUS

SALAD NICOISE
GRILLED FRESH TUNA, FRENCH BEANS, HARD-COOKED EGG
STEAMED NEW POTATO WITH CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE

MAXWELL'S ALL IRELAND CHAMPION BAKED POTATO FRENCH FRIES

BEST EVER BURGER
MEATS ARE NATURALLY RAISED, HORMONE AND ADDITIVE FREE

THE MAGICAL DANFORTH MUSIC HALL

MR JOSHUA RADIN
SINGING HIS BABY-MAKING TUNES

we had a wonderful evening, with satisfied stomachs and happy hearts. joshua radin makes us swoon every time.

linda

2012-11-06T14:16:00.000-08:00

last week we had a long, overdue date. it had been a while since eating thai food...after spending the month of july in thailand, it wasn't high on my priority list. wednesday, however, NA and i enjoyed a delish (and long) catch up session at Linda Modern Thai by Salad King (Shops at Don Mills).

we shared these yummy spring rolls. always room for more spring rolls.

NA enjoyed the beef panang

i ordered the bangkok stir fry with chicken, which came in a light egg pouch.

everything was yummy, wait staff were great, and best of all (aside from the company): serving sizes were large so there was enough for lunch the next day.

l'unita

2012-10-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

after many canceled reservations at a variety of toronto's best, an intimate group spent an evening celebrating the birthday of the wonderful AF, at the one and only-l'unita. situated right at avenue and davenport (warmly referred to as 'av and dav'), l'unita had a great atmosphere and delicious italian cuisine. a definite recommendation.
beware: they were sold out of a lot of the special items. next time, we'll make sure to book an earlier reso.
take a gander...
n.b. it was very dark inside so i had to use flash...not recommended

wine recommendation: cave springs 2012 reisling

the bread and olive oil were delicious. couldn't get enough.

autumn squash agnolotti
sage, brown butter, amaretti & parmigiano

must try: oxtail gnocchi 'alla romana'
red wine soffritto & parmigiano
ox tail melted in my mouth, it was fantastic

potato & pnacetta
taleggio, smoked crema, onions & fresh thyme

margherita D.O.P.
tomato sauce, fior di latte & fresh basil
(not a favourite)

on to dessert....

espresso cake 'tiramisu'
mascarpone crema, amaretti biscotti, espresso & lemon

mascarpone cannoli
candied orange & cioccolato bianco
holy cannoli--MUST TRY!

Overall, the pastas and desserts were both mouth watering. I wasn't a fan of the pizza, however others in my party loved it.
Give l'unita a shot--you won't regret it!
Later this week I am going out for dinner with NA of Where The Locals Go, stay tuned!

sushi moto saturday!

2012-10-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

it's been a while....i have been a busy lady! i started a new teaching job (dream job, actually), and have been nursing a month-long cold, so those factors might contribute to my absence!

anyhow, a few weeks back we went for a great sushi eve. our little foursome had our own private room at sushi moto: delicious saki, sumptuous sushi and a whole lot of laughs. enjoy.

yum....this sake warmed us up.

yonge and sheppard, check it out.

my apologies, we ate everything so quickly i didn't get to photograph it all.
fun times, RK, MS and AY!

stay tuned, hope to be back soon!

saturday brunch

2012-09-22T12:13:00.001-07:00

it has been a very very long time since the girls and i shared a meal. far too long.
today, after....an indeterminable amount of time, all six of us were able to make it for brunch. finally. and we only had to book it two months in advance!
from all ends of the city, we ended up at oliver and bonacini at bayview village. the most easily accessible location for all attendees.
our meals did not disappoint. here is a taste.

MM and I each ordered the Belgian Waffles
fresh-off-the-iron with seasonal berries, topped with creme fraiche and maple syrup

a side of extra crispy bacon never hurt anyone....


MC ordered the O&B Breakfast, complete with: two free-range eggs (ordered scrambled) three slices of bacon, two sausages, roasted mushrooms, home-fried potatoes and two cheddar scallion scones

JL ordered the Farm House Ham and Swiss Cheese Omelette
home-fried potatoes, sweet and bitters herbs

DH and JW (new initials for the Mrs!!) shared the Margherita Pizza
San Marzano tomato sauce, bocconcini and basil with added prosciutto

we were stuffed, not even room for their tempting desserts.
everything was so delicious.
thank O&B...until next time!

dinner party

2012-09-07T12:44:00.000-07:00

last week, we hosted an intimate dinner party at the condo! our first time hosting in the new digs.
it was a pretty successful eve, aside from the boggle-induced noise complaint after midnight!

a special thank you goes out to KB for sending the scrumptious chocolate cream pie we enjoyed for dessert!

allow envy to ensue...

savoury cheeses and an assortment of crackers
cheese recommendation: le delice de bourgogne
(available at: alex farms, st lawrence market)
cracker recommendation: cranberry hazelnut
lesley stowe raincoast crisps,

salad: arugula with asiago/pear, homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing
(subbed apple for pear)

olive oil coated veggies, seasoned to perfection!

the plate
lemon peppercorn rounds, grilled veggies, salad

DELICIOUS chocolate cream pie, thanks again KB!
you can bake for me anytime!

lots of boggle...special shout out to AF for being the winner of the eve!
do i hear a rematch?

recommendation recap:
cheese: Alex Farms Delice de Bourgogne (a favourite cheese of mine!)
cracker: Lesley Stowe Cranberry Hazelnut Raincoast Crisps
wine: Cave Spring 2010 Reisling

coming soon: pictures from lake louise, banff and jasper!

hiatus is over

2012-08-21T08:46:00.001-07:00

beauty in the world is back!
after a wonderful summer hiatus complete with world travels, warm ocean water, cold mountain air and people i love, it is time to update beauty in the world with all the beauty i witnessed while away!

below you will find a few pics highlighting my travels.

thailand:

steps up to doi suthep

amazing buddha statues at doi suthep in chang mai, thailand

hand made umbrellas

baby tiger foot and tail

so gorgeous

happy happy elephant at elephant nature park, a reserve for abused and rescued elephants

on to railey, krabi.

cambodia:

outside the angkor thom complex

ta prohm

angkor wat

back to thailand:

phranang cove in railey, krabi

milky bay resort, koh phangan

koh samui

fresh fruit at the bangkok market

i experience a lot of beauty on this trip!
stay tuned for the magic of the mountains...

beautiful birthday brunch

2012-06-17T17:49:00.001-07:00

my birthday passed but a few weeks ago. this year, instead of a come-one-come-all bar birthday, i opted for a small, but special, birthday brunch. the venue of choice was MoRoCo in yorkville.

we enjoyed some magnificent mimosas and macarons, tasty entrees and delicious desserts.

fresh waffles: strawberry compote, whipped cream, chocolate sauce

poached eggs, avocado salsa with spicy aioli

nutella crepe

dessert menu

chocolate fondue with all the fixins!

thanks for a delicious and special birthday brunch!

xoxo

high societe!

2012-05-27T17:30:00.003-07:00

had a fabulous lunch last week at toronto's la societe. summer clothes and girlfriends on hand, we arrived for our reservation and were promptly seated in a room of luxurious furnishings and rich aromas.
the menu did not disappoint. all the ladies were tempted by at least a few dishes each. it being a summery saturday morning, and a little on the early-side, lots of coffee was consumed among the catching up and laughter. our waiter was extremely attentive, always ready with a fresh carafe of java, and a smile.

1 of.....many coffees

many delicious options

bistro breakfast

eggs benedict florentine

quiche du jour-brie and asparagus

a definite recommendation. treat yourself to an elegant and delicious brunch in yorkville. you won't be disappointed.

a GLOWing review

2012-05-21T15:40:00.001-07:00

wednesday after school. long day. rainy. hunger coincides with a much anticipated and overdue date with a colleague, b. she suggests GLOW, after all, they do have an early-bird special. and special it was.
alongside lots of catching up and laughs, we enjoyed a delicious meal.
for starters, we had some great beverages.

amazing wine flight. 3 for 10$. shame i can't recall what i ordered.

compliments of the chef. from the top: beets, orange, hummus. all delish.

heavy on the garlic caesar salad, with parmesan crisps. yummy.

b enjoyed this chicken penne.

i indulged in something that had all my faves in one:
caprese flatbread

dessert shooters

cappucino, please

i would really recommend glow, especially the after-work 4-6 special. we had a three-course dinner for 15$ each, drinks excluded, of course. we had a great dinner! thanks to b for patiently waiting to eat while i snapped the shots!

happy mother's day!

2012-05-13T09:04:00.005-07:00

a warm happy mother's day to all the wonderful mama's out there!
for all you do, all that you give of yourselves, a grateful thank you. we wouldn't be here without your love and support.

yummy special breakfast for my mom...cut up fruit and blintzes.

FRINGE teapot, teacup and saucers (exclusive to indigo). classy, eye-catching and well-designed. can't get enough.

beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman

enjoy a beautiful day!

dinner party!

2012-04-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

had some fabulous friends over saturday night for a low-key, cozy catch-up kind of evening.
i really enjoy spending time prepping a meal. music blaring, wine-flowing, i had a great time setting up...and that was before the girls even arrived!
due to dietary restrictions, the meal was gluten and dairy free. it can be done!
as always, i snapped a few shots of the deliciousness.
enjoy!
some sunny flowers, courtesy of mel!

appetizers: we started out eating my homemade dips (hummus, guacamole and bruschetta topping) with carrots, celery and mary's gluten-free crackers (they really are the best on the market--give them a try!)

not too shabby!

on the menu: linguine with pesto, roasted cherry tomatoes and ricotta cheese (for those of us who cannot cut dairy out of our diets!)

roasted tomatoes: cooked on a medium heat with some olive oil and pesto.
keep the lid on and cook until they pop!

yum! i love fresh asparagus

the finished product!

i used two types of pasta: fresh linguine for the gluten-indulgent, and rizopia for the gluten-free option
*as someone who has tried and tested all of the gluten-free pasta's on the market, i find rizopia to have the best consistency!

finally: dessert!
one pinterest-inspired item...and gluten-nut-dairy-free cupcakes!

green apples and caramel. the perfect sweet and sour combo!

yummy cupcakes from bakersville
a speciality bakery in the
streetsville area of mississauga

lexi was sad she didn't have a seat at the table.

thanks to the ladies for making the trek over for dinner!
come back soon!

before passover ends!

2012-04-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

it took me too long to post this!
this past week we have been celebrating passover. while most complain about the restriction of eating any and all things leavened, i for one, enjoy passover!
here are a few shots of our family seder last week.

the passover seder plate

beautiful, bright center pieces

it's matzo time!

the hagaddah

egg in saltwater...yummy!

amazing view....the moon was full!

come back tomorrow for pics on how i end passover!

chicken soup for the soul

2012-04-01T16:50:00.000-07:00

today was a cold, rainy, relaxing sunday. my bones were chilled. i needed some hot soup. chicken soup, actually. hold the matzo balls (this time).
if soup is your thing, give this recipe a try. it is simple but delish.
first: find a reliable recipe. i believe most of the women in my family use the one pictured here. i used it, too.

second helpings, please! a staple in jewish homes.

find a LARGE stock pot. add cold water and chicken thighs (or legs...or a soup bone, etc.). let it boil while you prep the rest. make sure to skim the fat off the top.

now for the veggie prep!

carrots

onion

celery

throw it all in the pot and let it simmer for a few hours. don't forget the S & P!!

hour 2. take our the chieken before you serve.

yummy final product. add in some of the cooked chicken for protein.

serve with a side of fresh challah (for dunking!)

enjoy! i hope this soup warms your soul!!
happy sunday!

capocaccia

2012-03-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

went to a favourite resto this weekend, and was surprised to see a little facelift had taken place!

although the original decor was lovely, the addition of some new chandeliers and tables was duly noted.

capocaccia, at yonge and balmoral (south of st clair), offers authentic and delicious italian food in a comfortable, trendy setting. a must-try!

i must recommend my favourite dish: ravioli di funghi-wild mushroom ravioli in a porcini, cream truffled sauce

rigatoni primavera, with added goat cheese

daily special: veal chop on a bed of mushroom risotto

new chandelier...perhaps from elte?

a great place to walk in to any night of the week.

enjoy! you will not be disappointed!

spring is in the air!

2012-03-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

we have had two glorious, out-of-the-ordinary, brilliant weeks of sunshine and hot temperatures...in march! i was lucky enough to be off work for march break, able to bask in the sunshine and 20+ degree weather. i even managed to get a little sun burn (not good, i know, but a testament to the heat)!

i couldn't help but snap a few shots of our little hint of the summer to come, amidst all the gray of march.

mr sun

the sun even had the flowers fooled!

fresh sprouts of grass coming through!

lexi loved the fresh scents of the season!

the temperature is beginning to drop back down...but i am thanking mother nature for the sneak peek of the summer to come! i hope you had the opportunity to enjoy!

pizza party!

2012-03-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

last week, we enjoyed a delicious thursday night dinner at pizza libretto's new-ish location on the danforth.

known across the city for their popular Pizza Napoletana, pizza libretto offers VPN certified pizza, using the guidelines set out by the verace pizza napoletana (vpn) association.

while reservations are nearly impossible to secure, we were able to walk-in and get a table, no prob. this location is more spacious than the original ossington location, offering a basement space in order to squeeze in more of their loyal, taste-obsessed patrons.

550 danforth ave, toronto

apple & fig salad-blue bénédictin cheese, croutons, cider, white balsamic vinegar

quattro formaggi-tomato, truffle, bufala mozzarella, montasio, moliterno, parmigiano reggiano

margherita D.O.P.-tomato, basil, mozzarella

unseasonably warm, lovely march evening on the danforth

i highly suggest you stop in for a bite.
enjoy!

field trip fotography!

2012-03-11T18:30:00.001-07:00

during the last week of class, just before march break, there is only a limited amount of work that can be done. with that in mind, i booked a fun, outdoor field trip for the kids! we went to "the sugar bush", where the kids ran around, rode a tractor, and learned about how maple syrup is tapped from the trees.

highlight: maple syrup shots. yum yum.

i've been having lots of fun playing around with instagram (as you can see)...enjoy some field trip shots.

the aforementioned maple syrup shots

boiling the sap

just a few fun shots!

thanks for stopping by.

pots, pans and lingerie

2012-03-04T17:58:00.000-08:00

wedding season is soon upon us, and so begin the parties! this weekend i had the honour of being part of a surprise bridal shower for my university roommate, j. she was stunned, and the party went off without a hitch!

there is something so lovely and special about a group of women joining together to celebrate a soon-to-be-bride, and all the pots, pans and lace lingerie that come with!

hoping this is only the beginning of j being showered with love.

domesticity

2012-03-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

this (mini) post is dedicated to j and m, who just bought their first house (!).

we headed over to enjoy a tour of their new pad, as well as some delicious dinner.

it got me thinking about domesticity, and how lovely it can be when it is not expected (or demanded). decorating, cooking, baking, etc. so lovely.

cooking up a storm: so sweet

needing some colour advice. love to help!

later in the week......

enjoying a warm beverage on a chilly day

baking, berries, beverages. best.

thanks for reading this mini post.

as always, more to come.

nothing quite like the saturday market

2012-02-27T19:55:00.002-08:00

i headed down to toronto's incredible st. lawrence market saturday morning. it is a definite "must see" on any visit to toronto.
the whole market was pulsing with an amazing energy-early risers of all ages and backgrounds, coming to enjoy the market vibe.
i loved all the fresh fruits, veggies, breads, cheeses and meat, in addition to the vendors selling a variety of unique items,
check it out!

freshly ground coffee was perfection (and needed at such an early hour!)

lots of cheese, many samples

wide variety of fresh, ontario-grown and exotic fruit

just think of how much tomato sauce you could make!

which way to the beach?

olive you

make your way over to the market. you won't be disappointed!